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HAUNTING footage shows an accused killer open fire in a Walgreens store where he allegedly shot dead an employee.
Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, 30, is seen waving a gun and pointing it right at a surveillance camera before he allegedly killed a worker.
Fernandez was arrested at a Walgreens in Madera, California, after the horror unfolded at around 9:30 pm on March 31.
Police say he drove over an hour to the store and murdered 34-year-old employee Erick Velasquez inside.
In security footage released by law enforcement, Fernandez can be seen staring directly at a surveillance camera inside Walgreens.
He points the gun at the camera and then the video goes dark.
Fernandez also allegedly shot at other workers as they ran out of the store.
Velasquez, a dad of two, and Fernandez didn’t know each other and the accused killer had no ties to Madera, cops said.
“He approached some of the women outside, stating, ‘This isn’t about you,’ and then abruptly left to his car,” Police Chief Giachino Chiaramonte informed KMPH.
“Officers found him reloading his handgun.”
Cops are now searching for a motive for the murder as Fernandez faces murder and attempted murder charges.
“We do know that he has a general disdain or grudge against pharmacies, large scale pharmacies, by statements [he] made,” Chiaramonte said.
“That is one of the reasons why Walgreens was selected.”
Velasquez, who died at the store, had just welcomed a new child with his wife.
“You could say only one life was lost, but we have numerous people touched trying to understand the why,” Chiaramonte said.
“I have a victim’s family. He’s got a wife. He’s got two children—one’s an infant—and they’re trying to understand the why.”
Chiaramonte does not think that the incident was influenced by Luigi Mangione, the individual accused of shooting a healthcare executive in New York City in December 2024.
Mangione, 26, has pleaded not guilty to charges of stalking and murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for the alleged killer.
Walgreens’ full statement
In an email to The U.S. Sun, Walgreens wrote:
“We are truly heartbroken by the tragic event on Monday, which led to the loss of one of our team members. Our hearts go out to their loved ones during this challenging time. We are concentrating on supporting our staff, and we will be providing on-site counseling services over the next few days. Ensuring the safety of our customers and team members remains our utmost priority, and we are collaborating with local authorities in their investigation.”
The chief noted Velasquez worked at Walgreens as a clerk, not a pharmacist.
The pharmacy was closed at the time of the shooting and the victim was not shot in the pharmacy area.
In a statement to The U.S. Sun, Walgreens said it is “deeply saddened” by the tragic incident.
“We are deeply saddened by Monday’s tragic event, which resulted in the death of one our team members. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” the company wrote in an email.
“We are focused on supporting our employees and will be offering on-site counseling services over the next couple days.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we are working with local authorities in their investigation.”
Madera police are now working to talk with the alleged killer’s family and friends to uncover a motive.
He’d attended UC Merced, about 45 minutes from Madera, but had no other known connection to the town.
“He has no ties to Madera. He has no prior contacts with the sheriff’s department or PD here,” the police chief said.
The Madera Police Department did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
